Ice Ice Baby

As most of you know by now, I am forever on a journey to alleviate my chronic pain as naturally as possible. So when I was reached out to and asked if I wanted to try a few cryo-treatments, I did a deep dive online to see what it is all about. This was my first-ever experience at a cold spa and after reading about all the amazing benefits, I needed to try it out for myself. I went to CRYOEFFECT in south Barrington (IL) and I have to tell you I am beyond obsessed! Before I arrived, I had planned to try two services, but when I got there, I ended up trying three. On this day, I started with a cryo-facial, then we did a full body cryotherapy session, and finally we tried a localized treatment on my upper-back and neck. I'm so excited to tell you all about my experience with each service and how they made me feel to have them done, plus how I was feeling in the days following. Spoiler alert, they were all hugely beneficial to my inflammation and pain level! 

First up was my cryofacial. Just like a facial at any spa, you are taken into a private room to lay down and relax during the service. Working on one side of my face at a time, Caroline used ultrasound gel and massaged my face with the cold wand. It was an interesting sensation. The wand went from warm to very, very cold, and repeated that variation two more times on each side. I found it to be quite relaxing and a little uncomfortable each time it went cold before I went numb. To be clear, it didn't hurt, it was just weird and unlike anything I have experienced before if that makes sense.

Here is more information about this service: 

You can clearly tell from my before and after photo below how tight my skin was the day after. I mean, look at my smile lines...what a difference! I can also tell in my forehead as my lines all but disappeared, my skin tone evened out quite a bit, and the hormonal acne that was coming in on my chin was stopped in its tracks. This facial just tightens everything right up and has you looking fresh and new. I can totally see using this service for an event or just to keep my skin looking fresh and youthful. As an added bonus, my stress headache (which I had for 5 strait days leading up to having this done) was almost gone. 

Up next was a full body cryotherapy treatment. I have to tell you, I was a quite nervous for this one. I had no idea what to expect and the thought of being in -260 was horrifying to me. Before they take you into the room, you must have your blood pressure taken to make sure you are within the normal range. Melissa was my technician for this service and she was so helpful and excited. I literally couldn't wait the more and more I chatted with her about her experiences with cryotherapy. Up next I was taken into the room where the chamber is, which is also where the dressing rooms are. I was asked to strip down to nothing, but asked to put on socks, slippers, gloves, and a robe. 

Cryotherapy was truly so fun! It’s oddly unnerving to get into the chamber, but it’s not as uncomfortable as you would think once you have started. As it is happening, you run in place. It was such an odd sensation to be that cold, but it didn't hurt (which is what I thought it would be like). You can be in the chamber for three minutes, but we decided to try two minutes for my first time and going forward I plan to work up to three minutes.  After I got done, I had so much energy! I was so happy, and all of the anxiety I had for the previous week just melted away. The headache that had lessened with the cryofacial reduced even further and my overall pain level went from a five to about a three. I'm talking within minutes you guys! 

The final service I tried this day was a localized treatment. As soon as the amazing staff found out I had spinal stenosis and have had two cervical fusions, this was suggested. A localized treatment is great for anyone who has localized pain and wants relief fast. It's literally a ten minute process from the time you walk in to the time you are ready to leave. I figured I had nothing to lose and now I was super curious about it. I was taken into a different private room and asked to lay face-down on the table. Using a cold vapor, my upper neck and back were treated. This was my favorite! OK, so out of the three services, this one had me the coldest...as in I was shivering by the end, but it was so worth it! Take a look at the photo and information below and then I will tell you about my results. 

OK, this one just knocked it out of the park for me. Any remains of my five day headache were gone. My neck was numb, so for the first time in a non surgical situation, I felt no pain! Literally no pain at all. You guys, this lasted five days! For this day and the four after my pain level was the lowest it had been in years. Was it the combo of all three treatments? Maybe. All I know is that during these five days, the weather was all over the place. The weather usually triggers a lot of my discomfort and it didn't. Plus, during these five days I got my period and should have had my monthly hormonal migraine. I did not! I swear, this cold spa changed my life this month. I can absolutely see why people would continue to visit CRYOEFFECT and keep their treatments up, the benefits are outstanding!

Have you ever tried cryotherapy before? Did my local peeps know that CRYOEFFECT is open in Barrington? I wish I would have known about it sooner, I can't wait to go back. Let's chat in the comments section below! Thanks for stopping by the blog today, I hope you make it a great day. xoxo